Are you craving that sweet, savory, and completely irresistible flavor of your favorite takeout teriyaki chicken? This incredible, from-scratch Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken recipe is your secret to making a version at home that is not only unbelievably easy but so much more delicious and wholesome. Best of all, your crockpot does almost all the work!
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s your new weeknight dinner hero. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a thick, glossy, and perfectly balanced homemade teriyaki sauce that is a world away from the stuff in a bottle. The chicken cooks to fall-apart tender perfection in the slow cooker, ready to be shredded and soaked in the luscious sauce. It’s a true “set-it-and-forget-it” meal that the whole family will go crazy for.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: Better Than Takeout, Made Easy
What makes this Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken so spectacular is its incredible, deep flavor and its completely hands-off cooking method. The secret to a perfect, non-watery slow cooker sauce is to cook and thicken the homemade honey teriyaki sauce on the stovetop first. This quick extra step guarantees a thick, glossy sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of the tender, shredded chicken. It’s a versatile, delicious, and foolproof recipe that is perfect for a busy day.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 3-5 hours (depending on slow cooker setting) |
| Active Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Easy Recipe
This recipe uses a handful of simple pantry staples to create a spectacular, from-scratch-tasting sauce.
- The Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: About 2 to 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect, lean protein for this dish. The magic of the slow cooker is that they are cooked whole and become incredibly tender, juicy, and easy to shred. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work beautifully.
- The Homemade Honey Teriyaki Sauce: This is the sweet, savory, and glossy star of the show.
- Soy Sauce: The savory, umami-rich foundation of our sauce. A low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the saltiness.
- The Sweeteners (Honey & Brown Sugar): As the recipe notes, using a combination of both honey and packed light brown sugar creates a much more complex and delicious sweetness with deep, caramel-like notes.
- The Aromatics: Freshly minced garlic and grated fresh ginger are essential for that classic, aromatic, and zesty teriyaki flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of rice vinegar adds a crucial, bright tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness of the sauce.
- The Thickener (Cornstarch Slurry): A simple mixture of cornstarch and cold water is the foolproof secret to a perfectly thick, glossy sauce that will never be runny.
- The Garnish: A final sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh, sliced scallions (green onions) adds a beautiful, professional finish and a lovely, fresh crunch.
Step-by-Step to the Easiest Teriyaki Chicken
This recipe is wonderfully simple to prepare. We’ve also included instructions for making this on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot!
Method 1: The Slow Cooker (The Easiest, Hands-Off Method)
Step 1: First, make the homemade honey teriyaki sauce. In a small bowl, stir 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of cold water together until the cornstarch has completely dissolved.
Step 2: Pour this “slurry” into a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, the 1/2 cup of honey, the 1/2 cup of soy sauce, the 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, the 3 cloves of minced garlic, and the 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger.
Step 3: Allow the sauce to simmer while whisking it occasionally. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 1 full minute as it thickens beautifully. Then, remove it from the heat.
Step 4: Place the 1 chopped onion and the 2-3 pounds of raw chicken breasts into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour your prepared teriyaki sauce over the top.
Step 5: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the High setting for 3 hours or on the Low setting for 5 hours.
Step 6: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and transfer them to a large plate or a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the tender chicken.
Step 7: Place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir it to combine with the sauce. Cover the slow cooker and cook for 1 more hour on the Low setting to allow the chicken to soak up all the delicious flavor.
Method 2: The Stovetop (For a 20-Minute Meal)
Step 1: Prepare the homemade teriyaki sauce through Step 3, as directed above. Set it aside.
Step 2: Cut your chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 3: Add the chopped onion and the chicken to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through.
Step 4: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the top of the cooked chicken. Turn the stove down to low and allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.
Method 3: The Instant Pot (Another Fast Option)
Step 1: Prepare the homemade teriyaki sauce through Step 3, as directed above.
Step 2: Place the raw chicken breasts, the chopped onion, and the prepared teriyaki sauce in your Instant Pot.
Step 3: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before you perform a quick release.
Step 4: Open the lid, remove and shred the chicken, and then return it to the pot. Stir everything together and serve.
The Easiest Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
An easy slow cooker recipe for a sweet and savory honey teriyaki chicken. A homemade teriyaki sauce is created on the stovetop by simmering together a cornstarch slurry, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and aromatics. This sauce is then poured over chicken and onions in a slow cooker and cooked for several hours until the chicken is tender enough to shred. The shredded chicken is returned to the sauce to soak up more flavor before being served over rice or in sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (on high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
- For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- For the Chicken:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- For Garnish (optional):
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced scallions
Instructions
- Note: The ingredient list was not provided in the source article and has been inferred from the instructions and a standard teriyaki recipe.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch and water together. Pour this slurry into a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, whisking occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, allow it to boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
- Slow Cook: Place the chopped onion and whole chicken pieces into a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce on top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into smaller pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Cover and cook for 1 more hour on LOW, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- This recipe is great for meal prep, as leftovers can be stored for up to a week and a large batch can be frozen. The article provides detailed freezing instructions for both the cooked and uncooked dish.
- The recipe also includes an alternative stovetop method for those without a slow cooker.
- Using both brown sugar and honey is noted to create a greater depth of flavor in the teriyaki sauce.
How to Serve Your Teriyaki Chicken
This delicious and versatile shredded chicken is fantastic served in a variety of ways!
- Classic Rice Bowl: Serve it over a bed of hot, fluffy white or brown rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
- Sandwiches or Sliders: Pile the hot, saucy chicken onto toasted brioche buns for delicious sandwiches or sliders.
- Healthy Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the chicken into crisp, fresh butter or iceberg lettuce cups for a fantastic, low-carb meal.
- With Quinoa or Noodles: Serve it over a bed of healthy quinoa or with your favorite Asian-style noodles.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken is the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or for stocking your freezer.
- Make-Ahead: As the recipe notes, you can prepare this as a freezer meal. Simply place all the ingredients (the raw chicken, the chopped onion, and all the prepared sauce ingredients) into a freezer-safe, resealable bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. When you are ready to cook, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and then dump everything into the slow cooker and proceed with the recipe.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Reheating: You can reheat the chicken and sauce gently in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Add a Spicy Kick: For a delicious sweet and spicy flavor, you can add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of sriracha or a generous pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce when you are cooking it on the stovetop.
- Add a Pineapple Twist: For a classic, sweet and tangy Hawaiian-style flavor, you can add one 8-ounce can of drained pineapple chunks or tidbits to the slow cooker along with the chicken.
- Use a Different Protein: This delicious sauce and simple slow-cooker method is also absolutely fantastic with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or even with cubed pork tenderloin.
Enjoy The Easiest “Takeout at Home” Meal!
You’ve just discovered a truly magical recipe that is a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and delicious flavors, and it could not be easier to make. This Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken is a testament to the power of a simple, “dump-and-go” meal to bring comfort and joy to your dinner table. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new family favorite.
We hope you enjoy every last, delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves an easy and impressive weeknight meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why do I have to cook the teriyaki sauce on the stovetop first?
This is a simple but crucial step that is the secret to a perfect, thick, and glossy slow cooker sauce! By cooking the sauce first and thickening it with a cornstarch slurry, you are guaranteeing that your final sauce will be rich and thick, not thin and watery, which can sometimes happen in a slow cooker. It also ensures that the sugars are fully dissolved and the flavors have had a chance to meld.
Q2: How do I keep my chicken from drying out in the slow cooker?
The slow cooker is a fantastic tool for making incredibly moist and tender chicken! The key is to cook the chicken breasts whole, as this recipe directs, and to make sure there is plenty of liquid in the pot. If you were to cut the chicken into small pieces at the beginning, it would be more likely to overcook and become dry during the long cooking time.
Q3: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it’s very easy to make this recipe gluten-free! Simply substitute the soy sauce with a high-quality, gluten-free tamari or a coconut aminos. All the other ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Q4: Can I prepare this as a freezer meal?
Yes! This is one of the best freezer meals. As the recipe notes, you can combine all the ingredients—the raw chicken, the chopped onion, and all the prepared sauce ingredients (the cornstarch slurry, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and ginger)—into a single, freezer-safe, resealable bag. When you are ready to cook, just thaw it overnight and dump it into your slow cooker.
Q5: What is the best kind of soy sauce to use for a teriyaki sauce?
For the best flavor and to control the saltiness of your final dish, it is recommended to use a low-sodium soy sauce. You can also use a gluten-free tamari, which has a slightly richer and less salty flavor, or coconut aminos, which is a great soy-free and gluten-free alternative that is also lower in sodium.